A Star Falls to Earth: The Mystic Heiress's Quest to Strengthen the Nation

Summer in Binhai City, with rain pouring down in sheets.

In the old corridors of a village within the city, Lin Wei carries a canvas bag nearly as tall as she is, picking her way through the puddles. The strap digs painfully into her shoulder. Inside are old books she just salvaged from a recycling depot. They are her only hobby and the one thing that keeps her going through the days of working after dropping out of school.

She pushes open the peeling wooden door with a creak. Instead of a warm light, she's greeted by the biting mockery of her stepsister, Lin Mengyao. "Oh, the junk picker is back? Mom says you have to hand over this month's wages. Your little brother wants the latest game console."

Lin Wei leans wearily against the doorframe, rainwater dripping from her hair. "Mengyao, I have to pay rent this month, and I need to buy medicine..."